By Elodie Reed

JustThe Facts

BOSTON — Just before the first of four 9,000-person waves started running the 2014 Boston Marathon, the race announcer told the crowd, “We are taking back our race today, ladies and gentlemen.”

Runners, spectators, and a whole lot of police officers covered the 26.2-mile course Monday. Military helicopters flew overhead, some security could be spotted atop buildings, and both participants and spectators had to go through a screening process to approach the racecourse.